Elevation of the soul (The true purpose of an Ismaili)

[kmaherali]

to Kmaherali: You have posted the ginan, 'Tu chet maan mera."

Is the pir addressing to to his MIND TO BE CAUTIOUS/.
or directly used that word for soul.
I ASSUME it could to listeners to be cautious of their thinking mind for concern of their souls.
Pir have used word as dil,jeev ,jeevda for soul/life else where ,does the word maan is same as those word.

Nuseri,
Man means mind or heart. When Sayyeda mentions: 'Be aware o my heart', it is just saying 'Be aware o my beloved'. She considers her audience as her loved ones.

[kmaherali]

I am not an expert on Hadiths but I think there are many hadiths which emphasize remembrance - zikr as purifier of the soul. Bol is one aspect of it.

The following link provides Qur'an and Hadith references on importance of remembrance.

http://www.themodernreligion.com/basic/pray/dhikr.html

[zznoor]

"Admin": zz I do not think you will understand that the Prophet did not need to go to a cave to do any Namaz, he was doing bandagi.
Prophet used to go to cave for contemplation. He did not go to cave every night sat on pillow lighted Loban and Agarbatti and repeated same word with controlled breathing. Namaaz was taught to him by Angeles after revelation. Prophet prayed Qiyam e Lail or Tahajuud in the night and that is established fact. Bandgi as ritual is innovatin adopted from yoga tradition.

"Admin":Likewise we, Ismailis, interpret the Meraj as a spiritual ascension while the uneducated shariati masses say he sat on a Burakh, some kind of horse unless it is a donkey and physically went to some heaven which is over our head when some Muslim has their head on the other side of the planet making it look like the prophet had maybe to descent to go to Heaven.
please have some respect. Do not be like other two brothers. All 1.5 B Muslims are not uneducated masses. Number of sane and educated Muslim far exceed highly educated, well off and modern 20 millian Ismaili Muslims. I bet there is same percentage of blind followers of Aga Khan as follower of Muhammad saw. Whatever ismaili interpretation of Mehraj has no bearing on authentic tradition of sitting in Bandaging.

"Admin":Take your pick but we live in world apart, Ismailis are Batini, we are an esoteric sect. There is nothing common with the exoteric, because we are from the Light and going back to Light while the shariati are from the Darkness and going back to the Darkness.
in that case there is nothing common between Ismaili Islam and Islam except Shahada and Muslim sounding names. Even Sufis do not say we do not have anything to do with Shariat. They put Shariyati first. Even Ismailis have Shariat in Dua and other rituals. Can you perform Dua in JK by using different mode than prescribed. Any time you question answer comes ot "o we are Batini" like so called ignorant Muslims do ignorant Ismaili understand what real Batini religion is? No cheating, swearing etc. etc.. Do you think two brothers on this forum are really Batini or Marafati? Being in light and darkness is your opinion. Your MHI will not agree with it. Where is your pluralism? Is it just a slogan?

[agakhani]

I assume one member is reading too much of Hinduism and late alwaez and made a statement contrary to farmans.
Even prophets n pirs were subject to mistakes,so deep understanding is needed.

What is wrong to study Hinduism? what is wrong to listen waez?
FYI: Not only Hindu sect but I have studied all religions since my childhood which helped me to compared all religions with Ismaili sect and that knowledge helped me to become 100% true Ismaili. Honest with you.

I would like to know more about: on which farmans I made contrary statements? so far I can tell this is a wrong accusation from you.

[kmaherali]

Prophet used to go to cave for contemplation. He did not go to cave every night sat on pillow lighted Loban and Agarbatti and repeated same word with controlled breathing. Namaaz was taught to him by Angeles after revelation. Prophet prayed Qiyam e Lail or Tahajuud in the night and that is established fact. Bandgi as ritual is innovatin adopted from yoga tradition. ]

Bandagi means servanthood and therefore it is much broader in meaning. It can include all acts of worship and remembrance. Islam is a dynamic faith and we do not have to restrict our practices based on the life of the Prophet. We need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances. There is a hadith where the Holy Prophet had said that if during his lifetime the people of Arabia observed 90% of his injunctions, 10% would be forgiven. But after his death, if the followers observed even 10%, 90% would be forgiven.

Hence innovation is an aspect of a dynamic Islam. If a person strictly observes the Sunna of the Prophet he/she would not be considered as a Muslim although he/she may be amongst the majority.

in that case there is nothing common between Ismaili Islam and Islam except Shahada and Muslim sounding names

Ismaili Islam is the correct Islam.

[zznoor]

Ismaili Islam is correct Islam

No islam is correct if it is without tradition Salat/Namaaz (as interpreted by 5 fiques), Swam and hajj.

Following Hadith is always repeated in every Jumma Khutba.
Even MHI has seen need of Namaaz for his Murids.

Every Innovation Is A Misguidance

The Prophet (saw) said:

“…Beware of newly invented matters, for every invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray, and every going astray is in Hell-fire.” (1)

Likewise ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood – may Allaah have mercy upon him - said:

“Follow and do not innovate, for indeed you have been sufficed, and every innovation is misguidance.” (2)

Also, Ibn ‘Umar (ra) mentioned:

“Every biddah is a misguidance, even if the people see it as something good.” (3)

And then some people bring ‘proof’ from the khalaf saying there is something as ‘good biddah’?

Footnotes:

(1) Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi

(2) Saheeh. Reported in Ahmad in Az-Zuhd p. 162, Ad-Daarimee (no. 211), Al-Bayhaqee in Madkhal (no. 204), Wakee’ in Az-Zuhd (no. 315), Ibnut-Tararaanee in As-Sunnah (no. 104), Ibn Nasr in As-Sunnah (p. 23) and by Mujaahid in As-Sab’ah (p. 46)

(3) Related by Ad-Darimee, Abu Shamaah (no. 39), Ibn Nasr in as-Sunnah (no. 82), al-Laalikaa’ee in Sharh Usoolul-Ftiqaad (no. 126) & Sharh I’tiqad Ahl as-Sunnah (1/92), and by al-Bayhaqee in al-Madkhal (no. 191). Its authentic; Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz (258) and Islah al-Masajid (13). Salim Al-Hilaali said: “Its isnaad (chain of narration) is as authentic as the sun!“

K Bhai
You have made a point of being unfamiliar with Hadith.
But you do fall back on Hadith when it serves your purpose.
It is Jumma today (another Quranic command "correct Islam" has abandoned )

Salaam and Jumma Mubarak

[tret]

zznoor -

When we say Ismaili is true path, of course it would sound biased. But, even if you look at it objectively, if one truly understands ISmaili tariqa, then it is true Islam. MHI is a living example of that. MHI manifests the qualities of the Divine, and truly following HIM, is the true path.

What we believe, is that there's more precious and valuable pearls behind the shariat. True that one must observe shariat, but true mo'min must not stop at just observing shariat, i.e. salat/zakat/hajj/etc... We, as Ismailis believe that these arkaan of Din [5 pillars] have deeper spiritual and esoteric significance and interpretation, and we observe that as well.

So, what you [or other ahl-e-sunna] claim that Ismailis don't observe shariah [5 pillars] of Islam, is simply not true, should you look from where we stand.

[zznoor]

When we say Ismaili is true path, of course it would sound biased. But, even if you look at it objectively, if one truly understands ISmaili tariqa, then it is true Islam. MHI is a living example of that. MHI manifests the qualities of the Divine, and truly following HIM, is the true path.

Of course for Ismailis MHI is everything including Allah to some. They have closed their eyes to Material life of MHI. MHI is excellent leader of Ismaili Muslims but he can do same and more by staying in bounds of traditional Islam.

[tret]

When we say Ismaili is true path, of course it would sound biased. But, even if you look at it objectively, if one truly understands ISmaili tariqa, then it is true Islam. MHI is a living example of that. MHI manifests the qualities of the Divine, and truly following HIM, is the true path.

Of course for Ismailis MHI is everything including Allah to some. They have closed their eyes to Material life of MHI. MHI is excellent leader of Ismaili Muslims but he can do same and more by staying in bounds of traditional Islam.

I'd like you to objectively look at The Aga Khan. Not as an Ismaili Imam, but as a leader and human being.

Please show me one leader today, that has done even part of what MHI is doing? service to humanity is the essence of Islam, not praying 5 times for example.

[zznoor]

Any mention of requirement in Quran to wake up in night and sit in bandgi and repeat Bol?

Did Prophet sit in Bandgi or prayed Tahajjud Salat/Namaz?

Quran 73:2 - Keep vigil the night long, save a little

Yes the Prophet sat in Bandagi. That was his means of attaining the Meraj according to Ismaili interpretation of the journey.

Here is 3 translations and commentry by Shia scholar

[Shakir 73:2] Rise to pray in the night except a little,
[Yusufali 73:2] Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night,-
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 73:2]
Midnight and after midnight prayers and contemplation are called tahajjud. In the beginning the believers used to cease sleeping and pray tahajjud throughout the night. They are now advised to pray only for a small part of the night, or increase the duration of prayers a little more if the prayer desires so.

The words of the Quran must not be read hastily, merely to complete a ritual. They must be pronounced with ease and correctness, knowing the true meaning and interpretation of every word.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

It means the Quran was with the Holy Prophet. He knew every word of it. Here the people are advised through him to recite it in slow and measured tones.

Islmaili interpretation does not agree with both Sunni and Shia scholars
I will post my comments on Dhikr link later
Kbhai never read quran only one Aya and post it.
Look 2 three Ayas before and after.
Look what what it says in 72:3,4
Here it is

[Shakir 73:3] Half of it, or lessen it a little,
[Yusufali 73:3] Half of it,- or a little less,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 73:3] (see commentary for verse 2)
[Shakir 73:4] Or add to it, and recite the Quran as it ought to be recited.
[Yusufali 73:4] Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 73:4] (see commentary for verse 2)

This passages talks about Tahajjud prayers and reading Quran

[zznoor]

K Bhai
Here is Aya on Mehraj

Glory to "Allah" Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things)." Qur'an 17:1

Hadith #1
Narrated Anas bin Malik

The night Allah's Apostle was taken for a journey from the sacred mosque (of Mecca) Al-Ka'ba: Three persons came to him (in a dreamy while he was sleeping in the Sacred Mosque before the Divine Inspiration was revealed to Him. One of them said, "Which of them is he?" The middle (second) angel said, "He is the best of them." The last (third) angle said, "Take the best of them." Only that much happened on that night and he did not see them till they came on another night, i.e. after The Divine Inspiration was revealed to him. (Fateh-Al-Bari Page 258, Vol. 17) and he saw them, his eyes were asleep but his heart was not----and so is the case with the prophets: their eyes sleep while their hearts do not sleep. So those angels did not talk to him till they carried him and placed him beside the well of Zam-Zam. From among them Gabriel took charge of him. Gabriel cut open (the part of his body) between his throat and the middle of his chest (heart) and took all the material out of his chest and abdomen and then washed it with Zam-Zam water with his own hands till he cleansed the inside of his body, and then a gold tray containing a gold bowl full of belief and wisdom was brought and then Gabriel stuffed his chest and throat blood vessels with it and then closed it (the chest). He then ascended with him to the heaven of the world and knocked on one of its doors.

The dwellers of the Heaven asked, 'Who is it?' He said, "Gabriel." They said, "Who is accompanying you?" He said, "Muhammad." They said, "Has he been called?" He said, "Yes" They said, "He is welcomed." So the dwellers of the Heaven became pleased with his arrival, and they did not know what Allah would do to the Prophet on earth unless Allah informed them. The Prophet met Adam over the nearest Heaven. Gabriel said to the Prophet, "He is your father; greet him." The Prophet greeted him and Adam returned his greeting and said, "Welcome, O my Son! O what a good son you are!" Behold, he saw two flowing rivers, while he was in the nearest sky. He asked, "What are these two rivers, O Gabriel?" Gabriel said, "These are the sources of the Nile and the Euphrates."

Then Gabriel took him around that Heaven and behold, he saw another river at the bank of which there was a palace built of pearls and emerald. He put his hand into the river and found its mud like musk Adhfar. He asked, "What is this, O Gabriel?" Gabriel said, "This is the Kauthar which your Lord has kept for you." Then Gabriel ascended (with him) to the second Heaven and the angels asked the same questions as those on the first Heaven, i.e., "Who is it?" Gabriel replied, "Gabriel". They asked, "Who is accompanying you?" He said, "Muhammad." They asked, "Has he been sent for?" He said, "Yes." Then they said, "He is welcomed.'' Then he (Gabriel) ascended with the Prophet to the third Heaven, and the angels said the same as the angels of the first and the second Heavens had said.

Then he ascended with him to the fourth Heaven and they said the same; and then he ascended with him to the fifth Heaven and they said the same; and then he ascended with him to the sixth Heaven and they said the same; then he ascended with him to the seventh Heaven and they said the same. On each Heaven there were prophets whose names he had mentioned and of whom I remember Idris on the second Heaven, Aaron on the fourth Heavens another prophet whose name I don't remember, on the fifth Heaven, Abraham on the sixth Heaven, and Moses on the seventh Heaven because of his privilege of talking to Allah directly. Moses said (to Allah), "O Lord! I thought that none would be raised up above me."

But Gabriel ascended with him (the Prophet) for a distance above that, the distance of which only Allah knows, till he reached the Lote Tree (beyond which none may pass) and then the Irresistible, the Lord of Honor and Majesty approached and came closer till he (Gabriel) was about two bow lengths or (even) nearer. (It is said that it was Gabriel who approached and came closer to the Prophet. (Fate Al-Bari Page 263, 264, Vol. 17). Among the things which Allah revealed to him then, was: "Fifty prayers were enjoined on his followers in a day and a night."

Then the Prophet descended till he met Moses, and then Moses stopped him and asked, "O Muhammad ! What did your Lord en join upon you?" The Prophet replied," He enjoined upon me to perform fifty prayers in a day and a night." Moses said, "Your followers cannot do that; Go back so that your Lord may reduce it for you and for them." So the Prophet turned to Gabriel as if he wanted to consult him about that issue. Gabriel told him of his opinion, saying, "Yes, if you wish." So Gabriel ascended with him to the Irresistible and said while he was in his place, "O Lord, please lighten our burden as my followers cannot do that." So Allah deducted for him ten prayers where upon he returned to Moses who stopped him again and kept on sending him back to his Lord till the enjoined prayers were reduced to only five prayers.

Then Moses stopped him when the prayers had been reduced to five and said, "O Muhammad! By Allah, I tried to persuade my nation, Bani Israel to do less than this, but they could not do it and gave it up. However, your followers are weaker in body, heart, sight and hearing, so return to your Lord so that He may lighten your burden."

The Prophet turned towards Gabriel for advice and Gabriel did not disapprove of that. So he ascended with him for the fifth time. The Prophet said, "O Lord, my followers are weak in their bodies, hearts, hearing and constitution, so lighten our burden." On that the Irresistible said, "O Muhammad!" the Prophet replied, "Labbaik and Sa'daik." Allah said, "The Word that comes from Me does not change, so it will be as I enjoined on you in the Mother of the Book." Allah added, "Every good deed will be rewarded as ten times so it is fifty (prayers) in the Mother of the Book (in reward) but you are to perform only five (in practice)."

The Prophet returned to Moses who asked, "What have you done?" He said, "He has lightened our burden: He has given us for every good deed a tenfold reward." Moses said, "By Allah! I tried to make Bani Israel observe less than that, but they gave it up. So go back to your Lord that He may lighten your burden further." Allah's Apostle said, "O Moses! By Allah, I feel shy of returning too many times to my Lord." On that Gabriel said, "Descend in Allah's Name." The Prophet then woke while he was in the Sacred Mosque (at Mecca).

Does not mention he was sitting in Bandgi doing Ram, Ram
This Hadith is also shows 5 Salat were enjoyed on Muslim. Alas many Muslims do not pray 5 Salat and Ismaili Muslims have totally abandoned it.

[Admin]

We could all laugh together at Gabriel then for bringing the order of reciting initially more than 5 Namaz and then revising up to the time someone up there realised that 5 would be the max number of prayers acceptable to humans.

Honestly, what seems to be a foundation of faith in some branches of Islam (like some people saying no Islam without this and that) is in fact making a mockery of the capacity of Allah to understand the human's limitation. At least we, Ismailis, have more respect for Allah's power and capacity to guide his creation through time and dimension!

[kmaherali]

No islam is correct if it is without tradition Salat/Namaaz (as interpreted by 5 fiques), Swam and hajj.

Following Hadith is always repeated in every Jumma Khutba.
Even MHI has seen need of Namaaz for his Murids.

This is where we differ. We believe in the principle of prayer, but the form and the frequency can vary according to context.

The prescription of a form is also based on the nature of the society. For example in Afghanistan Ismailis need to say Namaz in addition to Dua, whereas in most other parts they do not need to say Namaz.

You mentioned MHI so I will quote his opinion on Sharia below.

"Journalists learn to use these words — but how many of them know what they really mean? How many of them understand, for example, that the shari’a is seen by most Muslims as a changing body of law, subject to what we call the fiqh, the capacity for evolving interpretation."

http://www.akdn.org/Content/979/Commonw ... uth-Africa

Hence Sharia is evolving and is not static, hence innovation is not misguidance but a reality of Islam.

[K Bhai
You have made a point of being unfamiliar with Hadith.
But you do fall back on Hadith when it serves your purpose.
It is Jumma today (another Quranic command "correct Islam" has abandoned )

Salaam and Jumma Mubarak

I said I was not an expert on hadiths. I did not say I was unfamiliar with them. My faith is not based upon the Qur'an and the hadiths, but I use them to articulate my faith to others. Hence if I were discussing faith with a Sunni, I would quote Qur'an and hadith to prove my point.

We Have not abandoned Jumma. We have special prayers and Ghat Paat on Fridays.

[kmaherali]

Does not mention he was sitting in Bandgi doing Ram, Ram
This Hadith is also shows 5 Salat were enjoyed on Muslim. Alas many Muslims do not pray 5 Salat and Ismaili Muslims have totally abandoned it.

As I said in my earlier post, bandagi has a broader definition. It includes all acts of worship including Namaz and contemplation and zikr.

[kmaherali]

Does not mention he was sitting in Bandgi doing Ram, Ram
This Hadith is also shows 5 Salat were enjoyed on Muslim. Alas many Muslims do not pray 5 Salat and Ismaili Muslims have totally abandoned it.

As I said in my earlier post, bandagi has a broader definition. It includes all acts of worship including Namaz and contemplation and zikr. The Prophet was Fanna and hence he was in a constant state of union with God whether in activity or in bandagi.

Many Muslims do not pray 5 times because the times have changed since the time of the Prophet.